Phoenix Rising FC cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over New Mexico United on Saturday, with Ihsan Sacko scoring twice and John Scearce adding another to seal all three points in USL Championship action.

Sacko opened the scoring in the 13th minute, giving Phoenix an early advantage that set the tone for the rest of the match. New Mexico's Maliek Howell picked up a yellow card in the 25th minute as the visitors struggled to find a foothold, and the frustration only grew from there.

The first half ended with Phoenix firmly in control, though it was a scrappy affair — Scearce was cautioned in first-half stoppage time, and Jean Eric Moursou followed him into the referee's notebook six minutes after the break.

New Mexico continued to press without reward, and Christopher Gloster's booking in the 63rd minute underlined their growing discipline problems. Phoenix punished them on the counterattack in the 75th minute when Scearce finished from a Hope Avayevu delivery to double the lead.

Sacko then grabbed his second of the night in the 82nd minute, converting after good work from Scearce — the midfielder turning provider just seven minutes after finding the net himself. Valentin Noël was booked for New Mexico two minutes earlier, and Greg Hurst received a yellow in the 90th minute as the visitors' frustration boiled over in the closing stages. Four yellow cards in total for New Mexico told the story of a side that never found answers.

The convincing win gives Phoenix Rising FC early-season momentum and marks a statement result at home in the Western Conference.